Cyber teams fully operational

U.S. Army Cyber Command

U.S. Army Cyber Command announced Nov. 2, 2017, that all 41 of its active-duty Cyber Mission Force teams were validated as having achieved full operational capability more than a year ahead of schedule. (Photo by Steve Stover)

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — U.S. Army Cyber Command announced Nov. 2, 2017, that all of the Army’s Cyber Mission Force teams achieved full operational capability (FOC) at the end of September, more than a year ahead of schedule.

All 41 of the Army’s active-duty Cyber Mission Force teams were validated FOC by U.S. Cyber Command Sept. 28, 2017. Since the first of these teams was rated initially capable in 2014, they have been employed by the Department of Defense as part of coordinated military strategy around the world, performing both defensive cyberspace and combat support missions. With the Army reaching the FOC milestone, this employment continues uninterrupted.

“The Army’s achievement of this critical milestone is a testament to both the tireless work of the Soldiers and civilians of Army Cyber Command, Cyber Center of Excellence, the Army Headquarters Cyber Directorate, as well as unwavering support from the highest levels of the Army and Department of Defense,” said Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone, Army Cyber commanding general.

“I’m grateful for the teamwork and support from our institutional leaders, and proud of our Army’s landmark accomplishment. The Army’s cyber teams are built and fully operational, but our work is just beginning as we ensure they stay trained and ready to step into the joint fight when needed,” Nakasone said.

The achievement required completion of thousands of courses in structured, progressive cyberspace training. This demanding training included cyberspace operations planning, network operations and architecture, technically-detailed software analysis and development skills, as well as foundational concepts of military teamwork. Validation of this cyber training baseline will continue to sustain Cyber Mission Force readiness.

The Army’s effort to build 41 fully operational teams was focused on the active component, divided between Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs) and offensive mission teams. Beyond this effort, the service is also building another 21 CPTs within the U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve. As these reserve-component teams come online, they will be critical to the Army’s cyber defense posture.

The focus of U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber Mission Force teams aligns with the DOD Cyber Strategy’s three primary missions: defend DOD networks and ensure their data is held secure; support joint military commander objectives; and, when directed, defend U.S. critical infrastructure.

U.S. Army Cyber Command directs and conducts integrated electronic warfare, information and cyberspace operations as authorized, or directed, to ensure freedom of action in and through cyberspace and the information environment, and to deny the same to adversaries. The command’s core efforts are to operate and aggressively defend the Army’s portion of the Department of Defense Information Network, deliver cyberspace effects — both defensive and offensive — against global adversaries, and rapidly develop and deploy cyberspace capabilities to equip the force for the future fight.